Q: I'm a woman, and I'm losing my hair. I
thought this only happened to men! Is
there some reason for this? What suggestions do you have?

You are certainly
not alone; hair loss affects approximately 30 million women in the United
States. The condition can be caused by a variety of factors, and can affect
females from their teenage years up until old age. For some, it can be
emotionally devastating and profoundly affect self-esteem.

Hair
grows from follicles in the skin of your scalp. These follicles are affected by
your hormones, your circulation, and your nervous system.Looking at each of these areas is important
in determining the underlying causes of hair loss.

It is
normal to lose between 50 and 100 strands of hair per day. Most excessive hair
loss occurs when a hair follicle is unable to go through its natural four-phase
cycle - the growth phase, the transition phase, the resting phase, and the returning
growth phase. Normally this cycle lasts between two and five years, but atypical
hair loss usually takes place because hair follicles become "stuck" in the
resting phase. If this happens to large groups of follicles in one area, bald
spots can occur. The good news is that the resting phase can often be "unstuck"
so that the returning growth phase begins again.

Common
causes of hair loss in women include physical and emotional stress, hormonal
imbalances (such as menopause, sensitivity to testosterone, polycystic ovarian
syndrome, thyroid hormone deficiency, or Hashimoto's thyroiditis), an auto-immune
disorder known as alopecia areata (in
which the immune system attacks hair follicles), anemia or blood loss, certain
medications, radiation, chemotherapy, nutritional deficiencies, and genetics. Some
of my female patients have experienced hair loss after being on crash diets; others
have had hair loss caused by excessive mercury and lead in their bodies.

In
traditional Chinese medicine, hair loss is often seen as a deficiency of "Kidney
Qi," which can occur when women are overworked or overstressed. It can also
occur after childbirth because of excessive loss of blood. Chinese medical
treatments for hair loss include acupuncture and herbal tonics to support the kidneys
and blood.

In Western
medicine, treatment for hair loss begins with a thorough work-up (which may
involve blood tests and a scalp biopsy) to identify the underlying cause of the
condition. The next step is to find a treatment specific to the underlying
cause. Always remember to incorporate lifestyle changes into your healthy hair
regime so that you are supporting your whole body, not just your hair and
scalp.

Dr. Laurie Steelsmith is a naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist in
Honolulu, as
well as author of the new book Natural
Choices for Women's Health, published by Random House. You can reach her
and read her past columns at www.DrSteelsmith.com. This column is for information
only. Consult your health provider for medical advice.